Klopp closing in on goalkeeper target

Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2016 by teamtalk.com

Loris Karius: Heading to Anfield?

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is closing in on a new number one goalkeeper, if reports in Germany prove correct.

The Reds have agreed terms with FSV Mainz 05 shotstopper Loris Karius, according to German publication Kicker.

The report claims Karius will now “almost certainly” leave Mainz this summer and take over from current first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who has endured an up and down campaign in 2015/16.

The 22-year-old Karius, who was linked with Arsenal last year, has a £7.9m release clause in his contract with the Bundesliga side and other reports claim that has been met by the Anfield club, who are desperate to add a goalkeeper to their ranks for next season.

If that is the case then barring a problem with his medical, any prospective deal for the German, who only extended his contract in January until 2018, looks done and dusted.

Karius has made 36 appearances for Mainz this season, keeping 10 clean sheets – the last of which was in Saturday’s goalless draw with Hertha Berlin.

Karius is yet to receive a full international cap for Germany, but he has represented his country at every youth level and spent two years between 2009-2011 at Manchester City.

The German though joined Mainz in 2011 after playing for the City reserves and made his first appearance for Mainz in the Bundesliga in December 2012 after their goalkeeper was sent off.

Karius
He has gone on to make 93 appearances in all competitions and has helped Mainz secure a place in the Europa League for the first time in their history.

Liverpool were linked with a goalkeeper swoop in the winter transfer window, but Klopp claimed he was happy with Mignolet.

Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Cologne’s Timo Horn were among the names Liverpool were reportedly interested in but it looks as though Klopp has now decided on Karius.

Karius will become Klopp’s fourth senior signing since taking charge at Anfield last October.